Panoramic T2 sequence in magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of the panoramic T2 sequence in magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine at the Clinica Internacional - San Borja in 2016. Materials and Methods: This is a quantitative, prospective and cross-sectional research. The population comprised 357 patients and the sample comprised 186 cases. The unit of analysis was the patient between 18 and 60 years old, attended in the doctor’s office, to whom a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbosacral spine was performed. The data collection was done through a registration form, consisting of a general data sheet, since the examination request, and an analysis sheet. Results: Out of total population, 80.1% were adults; 53.8%, female; and 52.7% had a diagnostic presumption of herniated disc. The highest percentage of findings was degenerative diseases, reaching 93%; being the most frequent ones, herniated discs, reaching 60%. Likewise, the usefulness of the panoramic T2 sequence was evaluated by means of hypothesis test and it was proved that this allows obtaining 50% more findings than the conventional study. Discussion: The results obtained reaffirm the importance of lumbosacral spine resonance for the different types of pathology. It is demonstrated that the application of the panoramic T2 sequence is useful to obtain greater number of findings. Conclusion: In general, the research determined that the panoramic T2 sequence in the MRI examination of the lumbosacral spine has diagnostic usefulness; that the main findings in the lumbosacral spine, as well as in the cervical and dorsal segments, were degenerative diseases; and, out of these, herniated discs are the most frequent.